Two arrested, charged with home burglary

Wednesday

Mar 6, 2013 at 7:12 PM

Two men arrested after burglary at Ocala home on Wednesday. Call to 911 shows drama as homeowner detains one suspect.

By Austin L. MillerStaff writer

OCALA - Two men who burglarized an Ocala home on Wednesday were apprehended, one by the homeowner, the other by law enforcement officials, according to authorities.Deputy Robert Youmans responded to a home on Northwest 63rd Place in reference to a burglary. On scene, the deputy took one of the men, Eric Vinson, into custody.The homeowner, who surprised the burglars, chased them and was able to apprehend Vinson and hold him at gunpoint in the 900 block of Northwest 64th Place.Aside from patrol deputies, detectives from the agency's newly created Property Crimes, Apprehension and Tactical Investigations unit, together with Air 1, went to the location and were able to locate and arrest Deonte Mack not far away.Vinson was transported to a district office for an interview. There, he told detectives he and Mack went to the victim's residence and that Mack, 19, went to the back and entered the home. Vinson said he remained outside, acting as a lookout.The 22-year-old told officials he then walked to the front porch and opened the front door. He said the homeowner arrived, and he called Mack, telling him to get out when they were confronted by the homeowner.Officials said the men ran, with the homeowner chasing them. Vinson said he surrendered at the Northwest 64th Place residence, where he was arrested by Youmans.Youmans and another deputy found Mack in the 6500 block of Northwest 14th Avenue. Youmans interviewed Mack, who he said admitted to participating in the burglary. Mack said he entered the home and took jewelry and two pistols, Youmans said.A purple backpack was later recovered inside a shed on the property.Apart from the handguns and jewelry, deputies found ammunition and a jewelry box.The homeowners declined comment to a Star-Banner reporter.Vinson and Mack were both charged with armed burglary of a dwelling and grand theft.Locally, Mack doesn't have a criminal record. However, court records indicate Vinson was Baker-acted by the Sheriff's Office in early 2011.